The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs50 lakh on East Coast Railway (ECoR) for operating a railway siding without permission of the pollution control board at the Jakhapura railway station.
Hearing a petition by one Ashwini Dhal, the NGT Kolkata Bench directed the ECoR to deposit the amount at the Jajpur district Collector within two months. Besides, the tribunal also ordered the ECoR to pay Rs1 lakh to the petitioner towards legal expenses.
The NGT asked the Jajpur Collector to utilise Rs25 lakh of the fine towards development of the Jakhapura PHC while rest of the amount would be used for sewerage, drinking water supply and plantation progarmmes.
Further, the tribunal directed the Chief Secretary to form a high-level committee to probe into the role of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Chairman and Member-Secretary in setting up of the railway siding. The order also suggested disciplinary action against the then Jajpur Collector.
Though the SPCB temporarily suspended operation of the sidings for pollution, in April 2015, the then Jajpur Collector wrote a letter to the board requesting it to grant permission for the siding.
Official sources in the ECoR said they never encourage any pollution or anti-environment activities on the railway premises.
“We have not yet received a copy of the judgment. Railway being a
Government organisation will do all that is required to be done as per law. We will examine the incident and take necessary action as required,” said the sources.